World Applied Sciences Journal 7 (10): 1235-1238, 2009 ISSN 1818-4952 © IDOSI Publications, 2009 Corresponding Author: Dr. Mostafa Taleshi , Department of Geography, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran 1235 Informal Settlements and Sustainable Urban Development Case Study: Metropolis of Mashhad in Northeastern of Iran Mostafa Taleshi Department of Geography, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran Abstract: One of the fundamental social and economic characteristics of the southern countries is the lack of development of spatial planning system whose symptom is the irregular expansion of urban settlements. Due to the ecological traits and national policy-making manner, this expansion has caused the centralization of regional metropolises in these countries. In the geographical spaces of Iran, specially in the east, metropolis of Mashhad has proven to have these characteristics. The centralization of economical and service facilities and welfare prosperity, the increase of immigrants and the lack of economical power of rural immigrants has caused informal settlement. It creates environmental issues and social economic problems such as drug addiction, the spread of the center of moral corruption and finally instability in the urban system. The basic question is how we can properly manage the stability of these urban neighboring spaces. The result of recent studies in the metropolis of Mashhad shows that the final answers are the participation of new urban immigrants in these unstable parishes and the organization of the urban self-sufficient units as self-regulating municipalities with financial, service and developmental supports of governmental systems for a short period, as long as these management units can get autonomy. Key words: Informal settlements Self-sufficient municipalities Sustainable development Iran Metropolis of Mashhad INTRODUCTION by the force of the educator of their main origin (like The phenomenon of informal settlements is factors, are driven from their native provenance (tribe, discernible as a global concept. Recent worldwide studies village, and city) and migrate to the cities. Since most of show that the amount of this phenomenon, compared to these groups are illiterate and do not have the necessary the population of major cities of the world, is different. In skill for getting attracted by the labor market, they are average about 33 percent of the population of big cities, forced to move to urban fringe [1-2]. live in slums and informal settlements. In Iran after the arrival and establishment of dependent capitalism, at first, Statement of the question: Informal settlements, along the centralized poles were formed in Tehran and some with other influential phenomena, has increased the city other cities. Then the relation stopped and poles of problems. It makes the face of the city look bad and absorbent and educator was made in the cities. Trade, awkward and intensifies dualism in urban society and economic and service activities flourished in big cities. As causes the gap and many other problems. Therefore, slum a result, immigration to the absorbent poles started. The is an urban problem that is the main source of crimes. saturation of employment in the cities, on one hand, and Today, informal urban settlement is a one of the urban overflow of the cities by the immigrant on the other hand, and social problems that in most countries and societies resulted in the phenomenon of informal settlements creates complex difficulties. This phenomenon, in some especially from 1941s [1]. communities, is due to natural attraction of industrial, Population of fringes in general, includes all those employment, welfare and administrative poles; and in who reside in the economical realm of the city but are not some other societies, unemployment and poverty attracted by the urban economy. Therefore, fringe resulting from industrial and economic crisis, or racial residents are those who live in unconventional residency, discrimination and class divisions are the reasons. In along with the residents of the city. These social groups, some others, it results from a sudden and inordinate poverty and unemployment) and influence of absorbent